Okra is a favorite crop to grow in Oklahoma. It stands up well to pests and produces a ton of food throughout the summer and fall. These plants get huge though, so be sure to space them appropriately. Plant them in rows three or four feet apart. Put one and a half to two feet between plants in each row. If you put more than one seed in each hole, remove all but one plant in each spot after they come up.
They also get very tall. Cut the tops off of the plants when they reach about five feet tall or you’ll need a ladder to reach the okra at the top. Okra produces constantly, like green beans, you have to harvest them every two or three days. Harvest the pods when they are three to four inches long. If you’re not sure, give them a pinch test. If they feel hard, they are overripe and not edible. This happens very quickly, so stay on top of harvesting!
Links to More Information
The Farmer’s Almanac https://www.almanac.com/plant/okra
A Southern Staple Born of Violence: A Brief History of Okra https://friedmansprout.com/2019/12/02/a-southern-staple-born-of-violence-a-brief-history-of-okra/
